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Concept Notes: Functions of Communication

This document discusses the key functions of communication: control, social interaction and emotional expression, motivation, and information. It provides examples and guidelines for how to effectively use communication for each function. Control involves regulating behavior through both formal instructions and informal influence. Social interaction and emotional expression allow people to form relationships and bonds while expressing emotion in a balanced way. Motivation empowers people by clarifying goals and providing constructive feedback. Information exchange is the basic function of sharing and receiving knowledge. The document stresses communicating respectfully and using specific language to convey ideas and emotions accurately.

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1K views

Concept Notes: Functions of Communication

This document discusses the key functions of communication: control, social interaction and emotional expression, motivation, and information. It provides examples and guidelines for how to effectively use communication for each function. Control involves regulating behavior through both formal instructions and informal influence. Social interaction and emotional expression allow people to form relationships and bonds while expressing emotion in a balanced way. Motivation empowers people by clarifying goals and providing constructive feedback. Information exchange is the basic function of sharing and receiving knowledge. The document stresses communicating respectfully and using specific language to convey ideas and emotions accurately.

Uploaded by

Marlou Maghanoy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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HOLY NAME UNIVERSITY

CITY OF TAGBILARAN
BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Senior High School Level
S Y. 2020 -2021

Week 3-6 (September 7- October 2, 2020)

Concept Notes
FUNCTIONS OF COMMUNICATION
You have learned that oral communication is nurtured by great ideas. However, an idea, no
matter how great, is no value until it is conveyed to others and understood. If the sender of the idea
does not have the skill to effectively transmit the mental picture, he or she becomes “misunderstood.”
As you have in the first lesson, poor communication is the primary source of interpersonal conflict.

Your goal as a communicator is not only to convey ideas but to convey valuable ideas that will
make important contributions. People will listen to you if they sense in you the values of honesty,
respect for self, respect for others, and respect for human potential. A communicator becomes
valuable when the idea he or she imparts meets the needs of others, enables them to take positive
action, and adds value to their world.

Communication functions refer to how people use language for different purposes. Also refers to
how language is affected by different time, place, and situation. Used to control the behavior of
people and to regulate the nature and amount of activities people engage in.

The most basic functions of communication in an organization are to regulate/ to control, to


interact socially, to express emotion, to motivate and to inform.

 CONTROL (Theme: Respect for others)


- this is used in order to literally regulate or control the behavior of people. It is also utilized to
regulate the nature and number of activities that people engage in. It happens to you all the
time. Either you are being controlled by someone or something or you are the one controlling.
For example:
o “Clean the room, then you can go to the mall.”
o “She’s single now. Go for it”
o “Can you please tone your voice down? It’s too loud.”
- In a formal setting, control comes from authority hierarchies that give guidelines for you to
follow. For instance, your teacher can control what you do inside the classroom by giving you
a schedule of activities or instructions to comply with.
- On the other hand, an informal setting sets the stage for various casual conversations that
may influence the mood and behavior of the recipient. An insightful comment, a greeting, or a
compliment may boost the morale of the person you are conversing with. This is an informal
way of controlling behavior.

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- Control is needed to assert authority or express ideas confidently. However, effective
communication balances authority or confidence with understanding to avoid perceived as
aggressive. There is a difference between assertiveness and aggressiveness.
- If used properly, your spoken words can control the behavior of the recipient in a positive way.
It can then be beneficial to the sender and the recipient. It can sort out duties and
responsibilities, making it possible for both parties to take decisive action.
- Practice saying words with positive meaning to make your speech more valuable.
Example:
Destructive Constructive
You do it. Please do it.
You’re a failure. You can improve.
What’s the point of…? That’s a good point.
You don’t understand. I can explain in another way.
It won’t succeed One possibility is …

 Social Interaction and Emotional Expression (Theme: Respect for Self)


- this function is utilized to make social relationships. this is also used to form bonds, intimacy,
relations, and connections with others.
For example:
o “Let’s go out to have some coffee”
o “It’s nice to meet you. How do you do?”
o “I am thankful that you are all here in this trip.”
- Social interaction is one of the remarkable benefits of being human. It adds meaning and color
to your otherwise humdrum existence. It enhances your life by “connecting” you with other
people. The communication that takes place within a group provides a release of frustrations,
satisfaction, or other forms of emotion.
- However, emotions may limit the effectiveness of communication if these are not handled
correctly. Poor communication may result to misunderstandings and conflicts, especially when
the message that you are trying to convey is an emotional one.
- For example, saying “I am angry” may be taken to mean as being hostile when what you really
mean is “I am disappointed.” It is natural that you sometimes struggle to articulate how you
feel because the more emotional you are, the less rational you become.
- The key to effective emotional expression is balance. In expressing your emotions, remember
that you are opening an inner part of yourself to others who may not have any idea of what
you are going through. It is, therefore, best to not let your emotions get the better of you. Think
before you say anything. Always use specific language. Abstract language can obscure the
true feelings that you are trying to express.

- Here are some examples of specific words that describe different kinds of emotion.

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Afraid Angry Annoyed Anxious
Apprehensive Ashamed Astonished Bored
Cheerful Comfortable Confident Delighted
Depressed Disappointed Disgusted Distracted
Enthusiastic Envious Excited Fascinated
Fearful Frustrated Furious Grieved
Happy Hopeful Overjoyed Overwhelmed
Regretful Troubled Unhappy Worried

 Motivation (Theme: Respect for Human Potential)


- this is used to power up preferences, desires. needs, wants, decisions, goals, and strengths.
For example:
o “I need you in my life”
o “I must trim down my weight for her”
o “We need to be proactive and stop procrastinating.”
- Motivation is defined as the power that derives a person to accomplish a desired goal. It is an
internal process, something that takes place in a person’s intellect, will, and emotions. It is
also a personal thing, meaning, that nothing can “do” it to a person except the person himself.
However, the interplay of different forces surrounding the person will have an impact on his or
her ability to make choices.
- Communication fosters motivation by clarifying for individuals what is to be done, how well
they are doing, and what can be done to improve performance. A constructive and positive
feedback will stimulate individual to “level up.” Highly motivated individuals work harder,
dream higher, and become more productive.
- There are at least two requirements to consider in motivating a person. First, you must be
willing to communicate. Second, you must be skilled at giving feedbacks and practical
recommendations for improvement. Both can be learned.
GIVING CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK
- Your next goal is to communicate your observations to the person you are trying to motivate.
Start with an honest compliment of the strengths that you see in him/her. Compliments may be
as simple as liking an “endearing smile” for as long as it is true. This will earn you the trust of
the person you are trying to help.
- Having earned the person’s trust, you may now give suggestions for improvement. Once you
have delivered your message effective, you may conclude by giving some words of hope,
encouragement, or approval.
 Information (Theme: Respect for Truth)
- This function is used for grabbing and sharing information.
For example:
o “Where can I get my license?”
o “Is there any other way for me to break free from this pain?”
o “You can find the bathroom right next to this door”

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- Giving and receiving information is called “information exchange.” It is considered to be the
principal function of communication because all the other functions involve information
exchanges.
- In oral communication, the roles of giver and receiver of information may occur to an individual
at any time at any given time. In more formal setting, these roles may come at a more
predictable time such as when someone is called upon to recite in class or asked to give a
comment after listening to a speech.
- In informal setting, the time for these roles may vary depending on the context of the
conversation. For instance, the roles of giver and receiver shift more quickly and constantly in
social interactions than when controlling or motivating. Whether you are the giver or receiver
of the information, you will need to give or receive the right kind of information
HOW TO GIVE CORRECT INFORMATION
Giving correct information requires choosing the most effective language so the receiver will not
be confused. The information must be correct, clear, specific, and short yet complete.
A. Always tell the truth
- If your goal is to help the receiver make the right decision about something, he or she should
know the facts as they really are, not as they appear to be.
B. Be specific
- Specificity is clarity. Give every important detail whenever possible to help the receiver create
a clear mental picture of the information you are trying to convey.
C. Be brief and to the point
- Use language that is straight forward and concise. Avoid being verbose.
HOW TO AVOID VERBOSITY
1. Eliminate redundant words
2. Eliminate filler words
3. Use contraction
D. Avoid using jargons
Jargons are special words used by a particular group of professionals. Oftentimes, these
words are unfamiliar and difficult for others to understand.
E. Be precise
Precision in language means using the exact words at the right time for the right kind of
receiver. The more precise our language, the fewer possible interpretations there would be for
a message.
REFERENCES:
Agbayani, D. R., & Meru, Y. M., (2016), Definition, Elements, and Process of Communication.
Enhanced English engagements: Oral Communication. Don Bosco Press, Inc.
Rey, M.V., (2019, July 26). Functions of Communication – The Four Major Functions [Blog Post].
Retrieved from https://philnews.ph/2019/07/26/four-major-functions-of-communication/

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